Freckle-Cake

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon chopped crystallized ginger

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9 inch round cake pan.
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and white sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
3. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt; stir into the creamed mixture alternately with the milk. Gently stir in the lemon juice.
4. Spread the batter into the prepared pan. In a small bowl, mix together the cinnamon, pecans, brown sugar, and ginger; sprinkle over the top of the cake.
5. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Interesting Facts

• Freckle-cake is a classic American dessert that originated in the early 1900s.
• The cake is traditionally made with a lemon base, but other flavors such as orange, lime, or even coconut can be used.
• The crunchy topping of the cake comes from the combination of the chopped pecans, brown sugar, and crystallized ginger.